The engrossing and factual story of Ruth Ellis (Richardson) who gained notoriety as the last woman hanged in Great Britain in 1955. This emotional and sometimes violent film mirrors the sensationalism and class conflicts of 1950s British society. The film follows single mom Ellis's pre-trial life as a tawdry nighclub hostess, struggling to maintain her independence, while becoming obsessively involved with immature cas/upper-class playboy David Blakely (Everett) whom she murders when he finally rejects her.